Ok, time to start rolling these official threads out. Let's try to keep all talk with the team to this thread. Separate threads for specific issues/players are welcomed, but the daily banter of the season and the team should be kept here.

Hopefully we get some roster info for the teams by the end of the weekend.

I'm guessing this is a stop gap while Weglarz is out, and probably not worth much more than a mention in this thread... although he is better than Mickey Hall (the last minor league outfielder Cleveland acquired from Boston).

I'm guessing this is a stop gap while Weglarz is out, and probably not worth much more than a mention in this thread... although he is better than Mickey Hall (the last minor league outfielder Cleveland acquired from Boston).

Color me puzzled.

Even with all the injuries you could still have Huffman, Carerra and Brown in the OF at C-Bus, Head off the bench with Hodges at 1B. Then you'd still be able to put McBride at 1B in Akron to cover for Mills. If anything, the injuries allowed the Indians to hold off on cutting certain guys. I don't see where Bell was needed.

I'm guessing this is a stop gap while Weglarz is out, and probably not worth much more than a mention in this thread... although he is better than Mickey Hall (the last minor league outfielder Cleveland acquired from Boston).

Color me puzzled.

Even with all the injuries you could still have Huffman, Carerra and Brown in the OF at C-Bus, Head off the bench with Hodges at 1B. Then you'd still be able to put McBride at 1B in Akron to cover for Mills. If anything, the injuries allowed the Indians to hold off on cutting certain guys. I don't see where Bell was needed.

Hi Edible, I think it is just having a healthy body for the OF until we start to get players off the DL and that could last until May. Not sure any OF on the roster other than EZ could play CF. Might be a good sign that they do not expect Sizemore to be in Columbus for an extended period. Or not.

Last year it seems like we had so much bullpen depth. Looking at this AAA pen, it's really not that good. Judy and Putnam are really the only guys to figure to impact the big league team. What happened to all these bullpen guys? Stowell will help once activated, but...

ChadS17 wrote:Last year it seems like we had so much bullpen depth. Looking at this AAA pen, it's really not that good. Judy and Putnam are really the only guys to figure to impact the big league team. What happened to all these bullpen guys? Stowell will help once activated, but...

Several of them were promoted, and I think you'll see Herrman back down in AAA when Smith is activated. And you're forgetting Jess Todd and Jensen Lewis (though I think Lewis has pitched his last game for the Tribe), who are both legit MLB options. I'd also say that CC Lee, Nick Hagadone (if he is converted to reliever full-time this year), Rob Bryson and Bryan Price are legit options in the near future.

ChadS17 wrote:Last year it seems like we had so much bullpen depth. Looking at this AAA pen, it's really not that good. Judy and Putnam are really the only guys to figure to impact the big league team. What happened to all these bullpen guys? Stowell will help once activated, but...

Several of them were promoted, and I think you'll see Herrman back down in AAA when Smith is activated. And you're forgetting Jess Todd and Jensen Lewis (though I think Lewis has pitched his last game for the Tribe), who are both legit MLB options. I'd also say that CC Lee, Nick Hagadone (if he is converted to reliever full-time this year), Rob Bryson and Bryan Price are legit options in the near future.

I'm not high on Todd. Could be wring, but I don't think he'll be a huge impact on a big league bullpen.

Pretty nice game from Gomez. He kept the ball down until his last two batters and likely would not have given up any runs with better defense. Unlike Huff, he threw strikes and used all three pitches. Encouraging outing after his slow start last year.

In my opinion he has nothing left to prove, but what can you do. I mean OCAB has been a great steady vet presence, the bonus is I am sure his trade stock is rising by the day

Promotions may be hard to come by this year. If the Indians continue to compete, guys like Hannahan, OCab, Germano, etc... might not end up being traded/released. Sucks for guys like Phelps, but what are you going to do?

In my opinion he has nothing left to prove, but what can you do. I mean OCAB has been a great steady vet presence, the bonus is I am sure his trade stock is rising by the day

Promotions may be hard to come by this year. If the Indians continue to compete, guys like Hannahan, OCab, Germano, etc... might not end up being traded/released. Sucks for guys like Phelps, but what are you going to do?

As big of a Phelps fan as I am, have to agree. No way you break up the big club while they're rolling like this.

Rocky55 wrote:Phelps hits 2 HR & what kind of write up does he get in "Around the Farm" on the front page?

"This is a fantastic sign towards Phelps ultimately being a super-utility guy."

Just think, if he averages THREE HR's a game they might consider him a starter sometime in the distant future.

For obvious reasons IMO, Kipnis is the favorite to be the tribes future 2B at this point but I wouldn't think that the FO is "blind" to Phelps and all he has done. If he has a great year and Kipnis does not, then it becomes a much closer/harder decision to make. Either way with our current pile of vets and nearly ready for ML action prospects, one has to wonder if the tribe stays in the hunt, at what point do you look to upgrade the team? Who becomes expendable? Is Phelps a guy we could trade?

And what "obvious" reasons would those be aain? Thy are the same age, Phelps hits for a better average, Phelps has a better glove, Phelps has better place vision, the only thing Kipnis has is power over Phelps

Rocky55 wrote:Phelps hits 2 HR & what kind of write up does he get in "Around the Farm" on the front page?

"This is a fantastic sign towards Phelps ultimately being a super-utility guy."

Just think, if he averages THREE HR's a game they might consider him a starter sometime in the distant future.

I agree Rocky and I've been saying that for months. Phelps imo is the most undervalued prospect in our system. Not just by the media but by the Indians' org themselves. I have no idea what more this kid has to do to open their eyes to see him as more than a future utility player.

I've said it before, if that's all they see of Phelps maybe they should do him, themselves and another team a favor and trade him. It doesn't look like he's going to get a fair opportunity to show his stuff here. Maybe I'm totally wrong. Maybe they do have a much higher opinion of him than it appears. I certainly hope so. I've liked this kid since the day they drafted him

Rocky55 wrote:Phelps hits 2 HR & what kind of write up does he get in "Around the Farm" on the front page?

"This is a fantastic sign towards Phelps ultimately being a super-utility guy."

Just think, if he averages THREE HR's a game they might consider him a starter sometime in the distant future.

I agree Rocky and I've been saying that for months. Phelps imo is the most undervalued prospect in our system. Not just by the media but by the Indians' org themselves. I have no idea what more this kid has to do to open their eyes to see him as more than a future utility player.

I've said it before, if that's all they see of Phelps maybe they should do him, themselves and another team a favor and trade him. It doesn't look like he's going to get a fair opportunity to show his stuff here. Maybe I'm totally wrong. Maybe they do have a much higher opinion of him than it appears. I certainly hope so. I've liked this kid since the day they drafted him

I hear ya Tito. I was on the TCF board the year Phelps was drafted & I think I was the only one on there that had even heard of Phelps. Great guys over there but not the draft maniacs like we are here. I just hope that if Kipnis starts at 2B ahead of him it's because Kipnis beats him out, & not because of some foregone conclusion. Let it be a fair contest. Seems like they're both great guys to have in the org.

Rocky55 wrote:Phelps hits 2 HR & what kind of write up does he get in "Around the Farm" on the front page?

"This is a fantastic sign towards Phelps ultimately being a super-utility guy."

Just think, if he averages THREE HR's a game they might consider him a starter sometime in the distant future.

I agree Rocky and I've been saying that for months. Phelps imo is the most undervalued prospect in our system. Not just by the media but by the Indians' org themselves. I have no idea what more this kid has to do to open their eyes to see him as more than a future utility player.

I've said it before, if that's all they see of Phelps maybe they should do him, themselves and another team a favor and trade him. It doesn't look like he's going to get a fair opportunity to show his stuff here. Maybe I'm totally wrong. Maybe they do have a much higher opinion of him than it appears. I certainly hope so. I've liked this kid since the day they drafted him

I hear ya Tito. I was on the TCF board the year Phelps was drafted & I think I was the only one on there that had even heard of Phelps. Great guys over there but not the draft maniacs like we are here. I just hope that if Kipnis starts at 2B ahead of him it's because Kipnis beats him out, & not because of some foregone conclusion. Let it be a fair contest. Seems like they're both great guys to have in the org.

In my opion it won't matter who gets the first opportunity, it will be who grabs that opportunity before and holds onto it like there's no tomorrow. I am one that does put Kipnis slightly ahead of Phelps but either one could be the guy. I am a fan of both and hope they both excel. For me it's not either/or it's can be both. :

Phelps is playing himself into a valuable trade chip if needed this year or next. I'd prefer he stays with the Indians, but if the need comes along for a bat/pitcher to help elsewhere, he may be someone they can use to fill such a need.

Agreed Tony, can't keep them all, add a cpl of pitchers in a pkg and see what they can bring back. It will almost be by necessity with such a deep system it will be hard to roster all the valuable guys before they are exposed to the rule 5 draft. In all likelihood the tribe still loses a cpl guys... The price of having a deep system.

Kipnis has the higher ceiling. He's the far superior athlete, but, Phelps ability to put the bat on the ball and make solid contact is impressive. One of the best in our system. Average defensively at 2nd, but does lack range. I like him alot, but Kipnis high potential at 2nd is something that needs to be given every opportunity to be reached.

I do think, though, that if Cabrera is moved in trade at some point this season, the 1st guy that heads to CLE to play 2nd will be a guy we haven't even mentioned. Jason Donald.

Like Tony said, a trade does seem to be the obvious remedy to this logjam of excellent talents.

I don't understand why many posters seem so eager to anoint these youngsters as can't miss guys, and subsequently say that we should be trading veterans or other prospects at the same position. Kipnis may be a higher rated prospect going into this year than Phelps, but Phelps is looking better than Kipnis right now - why on earth would you trade Phelps.... so he can "get out of Kipnis's way and get the chance he won't get in the Cleve org"? Kipnis could break his ankle tomorrow. Likewise, so could Phelps. Also, O-Cab is doing so well, and perhaps could stick around next year as a utility guy to mentor one or both of Phelps or Kipnis once they get to Cleveland, or replace them if one of them tanks/needs to be sent back down.

Taking this further, some posters are saying Santana is a top 5 catcher - well, he very well may be in the near future, but I don't think he can be compared with McCann, Mauer and Posey right now. He has all of about 250 ML at-bats and has an overall avg of .250. He may also wind up a 1st baseman, so maybe we shouldn't be ready to trade Marson at the first chance we get.

Being realistic, not all of these hyped prospects are going to end up being excellent big leaguers, so there's something to be said for keeping depth rather than trade depth based on assumptions that the first guy in line is gonna be a long term fixture. Also, if we trade someone, we better make sure they guy(s) we get in the trade are currently/potentially as good as they guys were trading. Would be dumb to trade a ML caliber player (O Cab, Lou Marson) or promising prospect (Phelps, or insert name) just to clear room for a different prospect, and get junk in return.

davidkey wrote:I don't understand why many posters seem so eager to anoint these youngsters as can't miss guys, and subsequently say that we should be trading veterans or other prospects at the same position. Kipnis may be a higher rated prospect going into this year than Phelps, but Phelps is looking better than Kipnis right now - why on earth would you trade Phelps.... so he can "get out of Kipnis's way and get the chance he won't get in the Cleve org"? Kipnis could break his ankle tomorrow. Likewise, so could Phelps. Also, O-Cab is doing so well, and perhaps could stick around next year as a utility guy to mentor one or both of Phelps or Kipnis once they get to Cleveland, or replace them if one of them tanks/needs to be sent back down.

Taking this further, some posters are saying Santana is a top 5 catcher - well, he very well may be in the near future, but I don't think he can be compared with McCann, Mauer and Posey right now. He has all of about 250 ML at-bats and has an overall avg of .250. He may also wind up a 1st baseman, so maybe we shouldn't be ready to trade Marson at the first chance we get.

Being realistic, not all of these hyped prospects are going to end up being excellent big leaguers, so there's something to be said for keeping depth rather than trade depth based on assumptions that the first guy in line is gonna be a long term fixture. Also, if we trade someone, we better make sure they guy(s) we get in the trade are currently/potentially as good as they guys were trading. Would be dumb to trade a ML caliber player (O Cab, Lou Marson) or promising prospect (Phelps, or insert name) just to clear room for a different prospect, and get junk in return.

I'm not eager to trade, but, in some instances you can find opportunities that are a win/win for both players and organizations.

davidkey wrote:I don't understand why many posters seem so eager to anoint these youngsters as can't miss guys, and subsequently say that we should be trading veterans or other prospects at the same position. Kipnis may be a higher rated prospect going into this year than Phelps, but Phelps is looking better than Kipnis right now - why on earth would you trade Phelps.... so he can "get out of Kipnis's way and get the chance he won't get in the Cleve org"? Kipnis could break his ankle tomorrow. Likewise, so could Phelps. Also, O-Cab is doing so well, and perhaps could stick around next year as a utility guy to mentor one or both of Phelps or Kipnis once they get to Cleveland, or replace them if one of them tanks/needs to be sent back down.

Taking this further, some posters are saying Santana is a top 5 catcher - well, he very well may be in the near future, but I don't think he can be compared with McCann, Mauer and Posey right now. He has all of about 250 ML at-bats and has an overall avg of .250. He may also wind up a 1st baseman, so maybe we shouldn't be ready to trade Marson at the first chance we get.

Being realistic, not all of these hyped prospects are going to end up being excellent big leaguers, so there's something to be said for keeping depth rather than trade depth based on assumptions that the first guy in line is gonna be a long term fixture. Also, if we trade someone, we better make sure they guy(s) we get in the trade are currently/potentially as good as they guys were trading. Would be dumb to trade a ML caliber player (O Cab, Lou Marson) or promising prospect (Phelps, or insert name) just to clear room for a different prospect, and get junk in return.

Who is saying to trade Phelps so that he's out of Kipnis's way? Phelps is not in Kipnis's way.....opposite is true.

And who cares really if Santana hits .250. BA is overrated. He does need to start hitting (obviously) but it's his ability to draw walks and power that are what make him a top catcher already. Plus his defense (he won't move to 1B because of that like many guys).

We all agree on that last statement too......but no one is suggesting you trade Phelps for "junk".

I mentioned trading some guys... And there will be a lot of tough roster moves coming. I was looking forward to next yr where the Tribe will have a better feel for what they have and need. For instance let's say the Tribe determines they need a LF next yr then they would have to consider making a move for one. Just an example. But the reality is with the plethora of propects already in the system the Tribe will have to make some hard roster moves with the 40 man. The tribe will likely lose a few to injury, but a cpl guys will slip through the system like Carlos Rivero and JRod. Difficult decisions for the Tribe. My suggesting was they could pkg a cpl guys and fill a need, this is assuming the FO feels they can contend in 2012 maybe even this yr the way they have played this far, otherwise it would be useless. The tribe could also move a player or two in a trade similar to the Peralta trade last yr. Soto was a pretty good return and didn't have to worry about rostering him anytime soon.

homerawayfromhome wrote:I mentioned trading some guys... And there will be a lot of tough roster moves coming. I was looking forward to next yr where the Tribe will have a better feel for what they have and need. For instance let's say the Tribe determines they need a LF next yr then they would have to consider making a move for one. Just an example. But the reality is with the plethora of propects already in the system the Tribe will have to make some hard roster moves with the 40 man. The tribe will likely lose a few to injury, but a cpl guys will slip through the system like Carlos Rivero and JRod. Difficult decisions for the Tribe. My suggesting was they could pkg a cpl guys and fill a need, this is assuming the FO feels they can contend in 2012 maybe even this yr the way they have played this far, otherwise it would be useless. The tribe could also move a player or two in a trade similar to the Peralta trade last yr. Soto was a pretty good return and didn't have to worry about rostering him anytime soon.

it is just in general hard to do and get value. Most teams have the same roster problems and if a guy can't make the Indians roster why would a contender want him. Its a wonderful idea, but I think in application its impossible, with out getting less value, which is why these type of deals never happen

Im not in a rush to trade anyone, but sooner or later it is going to happen. Who I don't know but..IF you're in the FO you can't trade Phelps, or can you? My gut says NO, but some team may want him badly, maybe to play ML 2B for them immediately. He is on the block, but his stock is rising and there is 100% no rush to sell. Contender or not, I think he has the value to get us a great return, really is all about the timing. But why trade him? Because Kipnis is going to be our 2B and thats mighty fine with me! Just have to wait for 1 of 2 things to happen first...1. be in a position to trade for whatever piece(s) we may need to make the play offs (i can hope). Phelps would probably be in that deal IMO.2. We dont contend... Kipnis dominates, Phelps does too and the luxury of having 2 ML ready and good 2nd basemen allows the FO to entertain the best offer. Win Win. But, why trade him?

Being reported that the Brewers are looking for "depth" at SS in a minor trade.

Just throwing out a Valbuena to Milwaukee option. Obviously he can't start at SS in the MLs for any extended time, but provides depth and it would be minor trade. Doesn't really do anything on the Phelps/Kipnis front....but it would allow the Tribe to leave Donald in AAA if they wanted and he could take over SS (leaving Hannahan and Everett in Cleveland).

Probably too early to start moving guys, but Valbuena is off to a hot start....so maybe now is the time to try and move him. Personally still a big Valbuena fan but it's obvious with Chiz, Phelps, and Kipnis that he's not likely to ever start again or even backup in the bigs.

Probably too early to start moving guys, but Valbuena is off to a hot start....so maybe now is the time to try and move him. Personally still a big Valbuena fan but it's obvious with Chiz, Phelps, and Kipnis that he's not likely to ever start again or even backup in the bigs.

Valbuena has crushed AAA pitching the last couple years so I dont think you have to rush to trade him now in fear of him dropping off. It is strange that Donald is the infielder of choice when he doesnt really do anything better than Valbuena.

Although I recently posted to criticize some who seem a bit prematurely eager to start trading guys.......if Milwaukee still needs a SS come June/July and offers us an upper level prospect, then O-Cab would be a guy to offer. A natural SS, has won 2 gold gloves there, that would be a natural fit for Milwaukee. By then, hopefully Kipnis and/or Phelps is ready to play 2B in Cleveland.

On the subject......I hope defense isn't getting overlooked in the continued dev'p of Chiz, Phelps and Kipnis. We've seen how the Tribe's pitching has benefited with O-Cab at 2B and Hannahan at 3B. Not that we should expect Chiz/Kipnis/Phelps to be gold glovers, but we need them to be better than Nix/Valbuena/etc in the field.